Object World and Art World: Poetic Aesthetics based on Jiangnan Scenery

Abstract

This study examines the Jiangnan landscape through its intrinsic connections with literary and artistic traditions. By tracing the
aesthetic evolution of Jiangnan scenery in poetry and painting, it reveals how these natural elements transformed from "material objects" into
"cultural symbols, " ultimately forming a distinctive aesthetic system. The "flowers, trees, mountains, and rocks" depicted in classical works,
though devoid of inherent beauty, gained philosophical depth through literati's artistic interpretation. These elements became cultural icons
embodying the fusion of scenery and emotion. This practice of "using objects as mediums" reveals the essence of Jiangnan aesthetics: elevating everyday objects into spiritual vessels, integrating nature's bounty into life's fabric, and ultimately forging a philosophy of "harmony between heaven and humanity" alongside the ideal of "poetic dwelling."